size. Always place the highest and strongest casesat each end of the pallet and the smaller and morefragile cases in the center. This arrangementprovides a stronger surface for a second tier ofcases on a pallet and also makes it possible toplace a second loaded pallet on top for storage.Forklift TrucksA forklift truck is a vehicle designed to pickup, carry, and stack unit loads of supplies andequipment. Standard forklift trucks are availablewith lifting capacities of 2,000 to 20,000 poundsand lifting heights of 100 to 210 inches. They maybe powered by gasoline or diesel engine or battery-electric motor. The battery-electric type isnormally used only for inside operation wherecarbon monoxide from internal combustionengines would be a safety hazard. Forklifts areequipped with a telescopic mast that permits loadsto be lifted beyond the height of the mast itself.These loads are counterbalanced by the weight ofthe truck with the front wheels acting as the centerof balance.Forklifts are excellent for handling palletizedunit loads, and they can be used for loadsassembled on skids or in boxes. The forks can bereplaced with special attachments to adapt theforklift to handle special material such as drums,reels, and so forth, but the forklift is normallyused for loading and unloading palletized loadson trailers, trucks, railroad cars, and warehouseplatforms. The forklift illustrated in figure 4-5 isa solid rubber tire warehouse type powered by agasoline engine.There are so many different makes and modelsof forklift trucks that it is difficult to generalizeon their controls. Forklifts have controls forreverse and forward, are front wheel drive, andsteering is performed through the rear wheels.There is also another set of controls for the fork.These controls usually consist of two levers; oneto raise and lower the fork and one to tilt the mast(supporting frame). The mast is tilted forward toFigure 4-5.Forklift truck.4-8